The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has taken a major step in regional integration with the introduction of a common biometric passport, already in circulation since January 2025, and plans for a unified national identity card.
The initiatives aim to strengthen the mobility of citizens across Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, while reinforcing the sovereignty of the young confederation.
The AES passport, which complies with international standards, includes an electronic chip and enhanced security features. Although older passports remain valid until their expiry, the new document has already been used by travellers, despite some early difficulties at certain embassies.
Since April 2025, France has officially recognised the AES passport, enabling holders to access Schengen visas. Authorities expect other countries to follow, though recognition abroad remains uneven.
The document, valid for five years and comprising 34 pages, has been distributed with specimen copies sent to diplomatic missions to build trust among foreign partners.
Beyond its practical function, the passport also carries symbolic weight. It represents the determination of the three states to forge a shared identity and demonstrate their commitment to long-term cooperation. Officials hope it will eventually serve as a model for wider African integration.
Alongside the passport, preparations are underway for a common biometric identity card. A draft decree has been reviewed to establish the standards and regulations for its issuance, with technical specifications harmonised at a meeting in Bamako in late 2024. The final adoption of texts and deployment of enrolment equipment will determine when the card can be issued.
The AES was formed in September 2023 by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Initially framed as a defence pact to counter armed groups in the Sahel, the alliance has since broadened its scope to political, economic and social integration. Plans for a future common currency and unified identity system reflect an ambition to reduce reliance on external structures and assert greater regional sovereignty.
“The passport is already in the hands of our citizens, and soon the biometric card will complete the system,” one official remarked during the closing session of the latest consultations. For the three governments, these measures are not only practical reforms but also powerful instruments in shaping a shared future.
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